Abstract P2-12-01: A comprehensive assessment of researcher needs to increase biospecimen donations for breast cancer research: A Patients and Researchers Together (PART) Program
Authors: Hayley Morris, Missy Van Lokeren, Patty Spears, Jennifer A. Potter, Vernal Branch, Charles M. Perou, Lisa Carey
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract A comprehensive assessment of researcher needs to increase biospecimen donations for breast cancer research: A Patients and Researchers Together (PART) Program Introduction: Tissue-based breast cancer research can help translate scientific discoveries to improve treatments or reduce cancer risk. Tissue donation programs require a partnership between patients being asked to donate tissue and researchers using tissue for translational investigation. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) has established a program called Patients and Researchers Together (PART) to increase the number of patients that donate tissue for research. PART believes patients will be more willing to donate tissue if they are informed about the research process and its impact and are valued as partners of LCCC. The PART program is evaluating the tissue donation process to positively impact efficiencies. Methods: PART leaders conducted interviews to assess current and future needs of LCCC cancer care providers involved in tissue-based research. A total of 13 breast cancer care providers at LCCC with different lengths of research experience were interviewed. These included 4 surgeons, 4 clinical study coordinators, 2 pathologists, 2 medical oncologists and 1 member of the Tissue Procurement Facility (TPF) staff. Interviewees identified key themes, provided insight into barriers and facilitators, and recommended resources to enhance the tissue-based research process. Results: Interviewees noted the high need for fresh tissue, which requires real-time coordination between clinicians, clinical study coordinators, surgeons, pathologists and researchers. Interviewees identified numerous barriers to the tissue donation process that hinder patient recruitment. These included: lack of knowledge about tissue-based research, time commitment required by an additional procedure, loss of privacy, lack of trust and knowledge about how the tissue will be used and access to cancer care (transportation). Interviewees also identified facilitators for recruiting patients to donate tissue for research, including: tailored communication between the patient and their cancer care team, a high interest in medical research, plain language and understandable educational materials and input of a trusted care team member at the appropriate time. Interviewees identified the need for additional tissue collection support and provided recommendations to improve the tissue donation process. Recommendations included: 1) increase the quantity of tissue available for research, 2) increase the racial and treatment history diversity of patients involved in tissue donation research, 3) increase diversity in the biological types of tissue donations (i.e., blood, stool, tumor), and 4) ensure that the available tissue is optimal for use in research. In addition, interviewees identified resources to enhance the tissue-based research process. One suggested resource is a team of coordinators tasked with managing the day-to-day operations of the tissue collection process and serving as a point of contact throughout. Ideally, the designated team would facilitate communication throughout the tissue collection process from the identification of a patient to the tissue’s use in research. Other recommendations included plain language patient educational materials, internal website improvements to enhance communication between researchers, and a written standard operating procedure guide shared with clinical and research team members. Finally, interviewees noted the importance of communication between tissue collection process stakeholders, highlighting the disparity in knowledge regarding best practices between new and more experienced researchers. Findings can inform the development of educational materials and other strategies to increase patient participation in tissue-based breast cancer research. Citation Format: Hayley Morris, Missy Van Lokeren, Patty Spears, Jennifer A. Potter, Vernal Branch, Patient And Researchers Together Team, Charles M. Perou, Lisa Carey. A comprehensive assessment of researcher needs to increase biospecimen donations for breast cancer research: A Patients and Researchers Together (PART) Program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-01.